__'The problem with Rhidian's Thoughts is how often I find myself agreeing with him. Most annoying!' John Humphrys__   
   
Why bother with God?   
Do you know what matters in life?  
What are the limits of kindness?   
Why doesn't God intervene?   
What are you worth?  
  
 For twenty years, bestselling novelist Rhidian Brook has pondered such questions on Radio 4's __Thought for the Day__, encouraging, nudging, sometimes provoking millions into thinking about the possibility of a God who is intimately and cosmically involved in the human story. Over 100 of his Thoughts are presented here, forming a kind of alternative history of the 21st century, and inviting us to reflect on the deeper spiritual dimensions of our lives and times.  
   
__'This earthy disturber of breakfasts subverts and provokes with Thoughts that last much longer than a day.' Roy Jenkins  
   
__'I hate celebrities, Harry Potter, musicals, and Thought for the Day. Unless Rhidian Brook is on.'Philip Kerr   
   
__'A great collection from a wise and humane thinker and writer.'Victoria Hislop  
   
__'Profound, entertaining, wise and funny – this is a masterclass in the genre. Bishop Nick Baines  
   
__'Gems on every page. Take your time so you can reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.'Professor Laurie McGuire

Rhidian Brook

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Thought poem

Thoughts 2000–2020

‘The problem with Rhidian’s Thoughts is how often I find myself agreeing with him. Most annoying!’ John Humphrys   
  
Why bother with God?   
Do you know what matters in life?  
What are the limits of kindness?   
Why doesn’t God intervene?   
What are you worth?  
  
 For twenty years, bestselling novelist Rhidian Brook has pondered such questions on Radio 4's Thought for the Day, encouraging, nudging, sometimes provoking millions into thinking about the possibility of a God who is intimately and cosmically involved in the human story. Over 100 of his Thoughts are presented here, forming a kind of alternative history of the 21st century, and inviting us to reflect on the deeper spiritual dimensions of our lives and times.  
  
‘This earthy disturber of breakfasts subverts and provokes with Thoughts that last much longer than a day.’ Roy Jenkins  
  
‘I hate celebrities, Harry Potter, musicals, and Thought for the Day. Unless Rhidian Brook is on.’Philip Kerr   
  
‘A great collection from a wise and humane thinker and writer.’Victoria Hislop  
  
‘Profound, entertaining, wise and funny – this is a masterclass in the genre. Bishop Nick Baines  
  
‘Gems on every page. Take your time so you can reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.’Professor Laurie McGuire

\["For listeners of BBC Radio 4's 'Thought for the Day'","Rhidian Brook shares decades of thought-provoking reflections on God","You'll be greeted with thoughtful and wise reflections from the bestselling writer"\]

‘Gems on every page. I found myself stimulated, challenged, enlightened, and moved. This is a writer who practices what he preaches – but there is nothing preachy about any of these Thoughts. They are witty and entertaining, profound and pithy. I had to ration myself so that I could reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.’ - __Laurie McGuire, Professor of English, Magdalen College, Oxford__

‘I read the book and thought about giving up doing Thought for the Day. Profound, entertaining, wise and funny – this is a masterclass in the genre. Not only does Rhidian bother us with God, he also shows how God bothers with us. A book for people who want to know God bothers with those who bother. I loved the book.’ - __The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds, author and broadcaster__

‘Whether his subject is rugby, love, homelessness or ageing, Rhidian Brook writes with warmth and humanity. His faith is confident and always present, but he never forces it on us. This is a great collection of Thoughts by a wise and reassuring thinker and writer.’ - __Victoria Hislop, author__

‘Rhidian Brook aims for “a thought that lasts a day”. His can linger longer. With gentle humour, this earthy disturber of breakfasts can subvert and provoke. No cheap comfort on offer, but sharp perception and solid hope, forged in personal experience. With potential to last a lifetime.’ - __Roy Jenkins, broadcaster__

‘From his first script Rhidian managed to combine the best of what makes a great Thought for the Day: he draws on real life to expose the truths and absurdities that everyone can recognize, yet writes with a style that takes you to new places. He makes connections and offers insights that surprise, challenge and delight. Choosing his subject can be the best conversation of the day and he’s great fun to work with, which comes across on air. He owns his faith and speaks from the heart, but most of all he sounds like himself – which is sometimes harder to do than you think.’ - __Christine Morgan, Editor, Thought for the Day and Head of BBC Religion &amp; Ethics__

From Rhidian Brook, novelist and contributor to BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day, comes a series of wide and thought-provoking reflections.

Rhidian Brook is an award-winning writer of fiction, television drama and film. His novels have been translated into 25 languages. His third novel, The Aftermath (Penguin, 2013), was made into a feature film starring Keira Knightley. His latest novel, The Killing of Butterfly Joe (Picador), was published in 2018.

Godbothering

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Godbothering

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